Memorial marker



A. A. RIECK MEMORIAL MARKER July 25, 1933.

2 Sheets-Shet 1 Filed June 26, 1931 ELOVEDWHLVJSBHND OF C. 2, I872 29 A. A. RIECK 1,919,530

MEMORIAL MARKER Filed June .26, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 25, 1933.

Patented July 25, 1.933

UNiTEo isrArEs PATENT, orsics tmanmuck, or MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, Assrencn. OF ONE-THIRD To IRWIN material, and thickness, as desired. In the W. COX, 0F DENVEB COLOBADO MEMORIAL MARKER Application filed June 26,

The present invention relates to memorial markers, gravest-ones and the like.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a novel memorial marker, or gravestone or thelike, which may lie'on or overlie a grave, preferably to the whole extent or full size of the grave, and which will be artistic in appearance, and have as perm-anent parts thereof such elements as ornamental inlays, a legend member, an emblem, and/or means for holding a floral piece, as desired. A bounding" frame, preferably of metal may'also be engaged at the edges of the marker. The marker may rest on the ground of the grave, or be supported on members located in the ground of the grave so that any sagging of the grave will not affect the position of the marker.

Other objects, advantages, capabilities and features are comprehended by the invention as will later appear and as are inherently possessed thereby.

Referring to the drawings: e

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a marker constructed in accordance with the invention 5.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same, taken in a plane represented by line 2-2 in Fig. 1 of the drawings; V

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the same, taken in-a plane represented by line 3-3 of Fig. 1 of the drawings;

' Fig.4.is a transverse sectionalview of an or water-shedding top; V

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view showing an alternate form of frame bounding the marker; and" alternate'form of marker having a convex Fig. .6 is a view of a plug which may be used inwinter in lieu of the vase.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the embodiments selected to illustrate the invention are shown in the form of a plate,

slab or tablet comprising a layer 1 of concreted material, such as concrete or other similar moldable and solidifiable substance,

and a layer of ornamental inlay elements2.v

The latter may be of any shape, size, color,-

illustrative embodiment they are shown as colored square pieces of tile. They are laid 931." Serial no; 547,038.

on the slab l and bonded thereto, and to each other by anysuitable bonding material, such as cement 3. Ifv desired the joints among the elements 2, may be leaded so that the colored elements and the leadedrjoints ma'yigive a churchewindow eflect. In this way the elements? form an'inlay or-mosaic for the marker or tablet. Any design 'may j be effected by suitable arrangement of d ent colored and ShapedelementsQ.

' For the purpose of protecting the edges of the marker, and also toenhance the esthetic appearanceof it, a frame t preferably of non-corrodible'metal, is provided about the edges of the marker. Suitable reinforcing ifferand anchoring elements 5 and 6 are secured to the frame 1- and embedded in the material 1.; This frame may be aplain band about theedges of the tablet, or may hav-e'anin- Wardly directedoflange' 7 embedded in the '7 materiall, su'chas is shown in-Figze. Also, the frame 1 whetheror not it has a flange 7,

may also have at-the upper surface of the marker, an outwardly directed flange 8, such as "is shown in Fig. 5. This flange/'8 will act to Wardoif close growinggrass andjalso act as a gulde when cutting the grass. In

der portions of themarken,

this'way the grass will not overhang the bor- While the tOp of the marker may be flat,

it may alsobe raised, curved,slante :l, or convexe'd so as to shed and drain oil water or the like, such as is clearly shown in Fig; 4. The marker may lie flat upon the ground of the grave, but should the ground sink orsag", the marker may also be displaced.

To avoid this, it is preferable to'separately support the marker, as-upon posts 9,.such as pipes, driven into the groundYlO, the upper ends 11 of the posts 9 being a given distance below the top 12 of the ground. These posts arepreferably located a given distance from the sides of the marker. See Fig; 3. At the ends of the marker are provided supporting members which may be in the form of cross bars 13 having anchors 14 embeddedin the material 1, the cross bars 13 being in engagement with the underside of the marker, and having depending leg portions 15, and outwardly extending feet 16,- with depending toes 17 extending into the tops 11 of the posts 9,

the feet 16 resting or being supported upon ments 2d embedded in the material 1. It i will be noted that this plate 19 forms an inlay element among the inlay elements 2, with the top surfaces even with each other.

'Also, if desired an inlay'emblem or the like may be likewise set among the element 2. The emblem selected for'illustration in this invention is shown in the form of a 7 Christian cross preferably of metal.- It

7 32 beneath the opening 29, in case a plantlies onthe surface of the material land may have anchor elements 26 embedded in the material 1. This emblem also'forms an inlay element among the inlay elements 2, their top surfaces being preferably even.

A means for holding flowers, a fioral piece or the like may also beprovided. Such a means may comprise a metal member 27 having lugs or fins 28 embedded'in the material 1. It is preferable that this member '27 extend through the layers 1 and 2 of the marker and be provided with a threaded aperture 29 for the engagement of the threaded lower end portion 30 of a vase 31, the latter being preferablyrof metal. The vase 31 is preferably open at its lower end for the draining of water, and also to permit the passage of a growing plant rooted-1n the ground portion is desired to b used instead of placing a bouquet of flowers in the vase 31. In winter, the vase may be removed, and a plug 33 may be inserted in place to close the opening 29. This plug may have a decorative top, as having an initial 34;, or an emblem, or the like.

The emeblem 25 may be of any desired form or kind, such as a fraternal, patriotic, religious, or similar emblem.

While Ihave herein described and upon the drawings shown illustrative embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may comprehend other structures, details, arrangeing aslab extending horizontally over the grave, inlay elements inlaid in the top surface of said slab and including ornamental elements'and legend elements, bonding means for said elements and sounited to said slab as to hold said elements thereto, and supporting means for said slab, said supporting means including elements constructed and arranged to be embedded in the ground and located at positions adjacent'saidslab and outwardly spaced with respect to the edges thereof.

, 2.. Amemorial marker for graves, comprising a slab extending horizontally 'over the grave, inlay elements'inlaid in the top surface of said] slab'and including ornamental elements and legend elements, bonding means for said elements and so united to said slab as to hold said elements thereto, a metal frame bounding the edges of said slab, reinforcing means embedded in said slab and secured to said frame, and supporting'members having portions thereof embedded in said slab for securementthereto and having supporting portions disposed in the ground at the sides of the grave and adapted to rest upon supportsv located in the ground for supporting said marker over the grave.

3. A memorial marker for graves, comprising a slab extending horizontally over the grave, inlay elements inlaid in the top surface of said slab and including ornamental elements and legend elements, bonding means for said elements and so united to said slab as to hold said elements thereto, a metal frame bounding the edges of'said slab, reinforcing means embedded in said slab and secured to said frame, supporting posts in the ground at the sides of the grave, cross pieces secured to the bottom of said slab and having the end portions thereof extending beyond the sides of the slab and the grave and resting uponsaid posts for supporting the marker over the; grave.

' ANTHONY'A. RIECK. 

